Abstract

Background: Sugarcane harvest is predominantly manual, exposing workers to risks to health:pollutants from sugarcane burning and intense physical effort in high temperatures.

Aim: To evaluate the short and long term effects of burnt sugarcane harvesting on systemic and pulmonary inflammatory markers.

Methods: 48 male sugarcane workers were evaluated. Urine samples were collected for analysis of Clara cell protein (CC16) and blood samples were collected for analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophils in two periods: (1) Non-Harvesting Period (NHP), four months without working in burnt sugarcane harvesting and (2) Harvesting Period, after seven months of working in cutting burnt sugarcane. In the Harvesting Period, the measures were taken before the harvest (HP1), and at the end of the harvest day (HP2). The concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5) were recorded.

Results: The mean workers age was 39.86 (10.54) years. The concentration of PM2.5 in the Non-Harvesting Period was 27 (23-33) µg/m3 and in the Harvesting Period was 60 (20-119) µg/m3. The mean temperatures and Relative Air Humidity in the Non-Harvesting Period were 32.57(6.92)°C; 48.01(16.67)% and in the Harvesting Period were 30.15 (8.32)°C; 50.31(18.75)%. There was a significant increase in CC16, and CRP between H1vs H2 (short term effect), p=0.0035) and p<0.0001, respectively. An increase in neutrophils was observed between NHP vs HP1 (long term effect) and H1vsH2, (short term effect) (P<0.0001)

Conclusion: Working in burnt sugarcane harvesting is associated with long and short term alterations in systemic inflammatory markers and a short term increase in urinary protein CC16.